Abstract Shaun Quegan discusses the upcoming ESA BIOMASS mission, charged with monitoring health of Earth's forests.

www.sciencemag.org SCIENCE VOL 326 18 DECEMBER 2009 1581 COVER Ardipithecus ramidus, a possible human ancestor, inhabited then-wooded regions of Ethiopia 4.4 million years ago. This year, studies of the fossilized skeleton of a member of the species raised surprising questions about how key human traits evolved. See the Breakthrough of the Year special section beginning on page 1598 and at www....